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Quantitative evaluation of the enhancement of NAPL-pool dissolution by flushing and biodegradation

Journal Article · · Environmental Science and Technology; (United States)
DOI:https://doi.org/10.1021/es00054a014· OSTI ID:6976420
;  [1];  [2]
  1. Univ. of Illinoia, Urbana, IL (United States)
  2. Northwestern Univ., Evanston, IL (United States)

Nonaqueous-phase liquids (NAPLs) commonly are trapped in the subsurface as pools. Often, subsurface remediation of NAPL pools is dependent upon the physicochemical process of dissolution, which can be enhanced by flushing and in situ biodegradation, both of with decrease the solute concentration, which increases the dissolution driving force. The solution to the advection-dispersion-reaction equation for a two-dimensional domain with one-dimensional flow past a NAPL pool is used to develop quantitative tools and criteria for assessing the effects of flushing and biodegradation on NAPL-pool dissolution for quasi-steady-state conditions. The effectiveness of flushing alone for enhancing the dissolution flux depends on the relative magnitude of mechanical dispersion and molecular diffusion, with the greatest effect for average pore water velocities sufficiently large so that transverse mechanical dispersion is much greater than molecular diffusion. The analysis of flushing and biodegradation together identifies that biodegradation increases the dissolution flux from the pool only when Da[sub 2] (the ratio of the biodegradation rate to the advection rate) is greater than 0.1. 28 refs., 4 figs., 1 tab.

DOE Contract Number:
FG02-89ER60773
OSTI ID:
6976420
Journal Information:
Environmental Science and Technology; (United States), Journal Name: Environmental Science and Technology; (United States) Vol. 28:5; ISSN ESTHAG; ISSN 0013-936X
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English